A high-power diode laser was used to generate single- and multi-bead coatings of Stellite™ 6 by coaxial laser cladding over flat grey cast iron (EN-GJLP-200) as a preliminary study to develop a wear and corrosion resistant coating for brake disks on a cost-effective substrate. In this article, we have focused on a detailed quantitative analysis of the effect of different laser powers (1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 kW) on the bead geometry, dilution, microstructure, and hardness. Coatings dilution or composition depends directly on the laser power as well as bead geometry. The typical microstructure of the coatings comprises a solid solution of α (hcp)- and β (fcc)-Co with a dendritic structure as a metal matrix and an interdendritic lamellar eutectic, which contains predominantly β-Co, chromium carbides Cr7C3 and Cr23C6 as well as blocky tungsten carbide W2C. Coating hardness depends on the chemical composition and microstructure that is modified by the deposition parameters. Low laser power results in high carbide fraction and most refined microstructures, accounting for harder coatings.
Environmental legislation and the electrification of vehicles place increased requirements on brake disks in terms of wear and corrosion resistance. Departing from a preliminary study, the present investigation examined the friction and wear behavior as well as the corrosion properties of Stellite™ 6 coatings on gray cast iron, which were deposited by laser cladding. The friction and wear experiments were conducted on a pin-on-disk tribometer at contact pressures of 1.0 and 2.0 MPa as well as rotation speeds of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 2.0 m/s. The pins are manufactured from an automotive semi-metallic brake pad. The friction behavior of gray cast iron and Stellite™ 6 coatings is similar under changing test conditions. The tribological behavior is strongly influenced by the microstructural and mechanical properties of the coatings and the brake pad material. A third body layer of contact patches is formed on Stellite™ 6, which mainly consists of brake pad components. The transformation of the Co-matrix (fcc → hcp), subsurface fatigue, and tribo-oxidation are the main wear mechanism for Stellite™ 6. The electrochemical characteristics were analyzed by potentiodynamic polarization, and the corrosion rate was determined with Tafel plots in 3.5% NaCl solution, respectively. Compared to gray cast iron, Stellite™ 6 coatings have a pronounced corrosion resistance due to the formation of a protective passive layer of Co and Cr oxides. This corrosion resistance is mainly influenced by the microstructure. The corrosion rate of the coatings increases in parallel with the Fe dilution.
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